Abstract

A multivariate analysis has been performed in order to study the polymorphisms of the three species of Potentilla sect. Recta (TH. WOLF) JUZEPCHUK represented in the Iberian Peninsula: P. asturica ROTHM., P. hirta L. and P. recta L. The variability of 20 characters (quantitative, binary and qualitative) has been evaluated in 76 collections mostly from the Iberian Peninsula and from other European territories, but also from North America, and North Africa. The analyses performed provide support for the recognition of the three species. The most discriminant among the quantitative characters is the width of the long trichomes on the stem, and then the width of the long trichomes on the leaves and the maximum length of the long trichomes. The interval of number of carpels, presence or absence of short eglandular trichomes and the abundance of long eglandular trichomes (> 3 mm) are the most discriminant ones among the qualitative ones. The taxonomical position of P. asturica, which has been previously subordinated as a subspecies within the other two taxa, is discussed. Our results support a good delimitation of this taxon which, on the basis of the morphological characters studied by us, seems to be morphologically more close to P. hirta than to P. recta, but differs significantly from both. A key to the three species is provided.